With the growing emphasis on energy consumption reduction and cost savings, there is a recognized need for credible information to help in the assessment and modeling of energy use in buildings.

A new certification program from The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) will help fill that need, recognizing individuals’ ability to audit and analyze residential, commercial and industrial buildings. The Building Energy Assessment Professional (BEAP) certification complements ASHRAE’s Building Energy Quotient program as well as its Building Energy Modeling Professional certification. Together, the programs provide a valuable toolkit when it comes to the evaluation and reduction of building energy use.

The program was developed in collaboration with representatives from ASHRAE’s Building Energy Quotient (bEQ) program, the Illuminating Engineers Society, the National Institute of Building Sciences, the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association and the Testing, Adjusting and Balancing Bureau. The program launches Feb. 2nd, 2011 with a pencil and paper examination in conjunction with ASHRAE’s 2011 Winter Conference. Learn more at www.ashrae.org/beap.